Collegiate Awards

Mortar Board is proud to honor chapters for the excellence they exhibit throughout the year. All chapters are encouraged to nominate themselves for higher honors such as the Project Excellence Awards, the Gold Torch Awards, Freeman and Fox Most Improved Chapter Award, DEI&B Award, our highest honor - the Ruth Weimer Mount Chapter Excellence Award, and the new Outstanding Achievement Awards.

Nominations for all awards are due on or before May 15.


Ruth Weimer Mount
Chapter Excellence Award

The Ruth Weimer Mount Chapter Excellence Award is the highest honor given to any chapter. This award is given to the chapter who demonstrated excellence in chapter operations, advising, visibility, communications and participation.

Recipients

  • 2022 – Purdue University
  • 2021 – University of San Diego
  • 2020 – San Diego State University
  • 2019 – University of Washington
  • 2018 – Texas Tech University
  • 2017 – Texas Wesleyan University
  • 2016 – The University of Alabama
  • 2015 – Kansas State University
  • 2014 – University of Nebraska at Kearney and Purdue University
  • 2013 – The Ohio State University
  • 2012 – San Diego State University
  • 2011 – University of California, Los Angeles
  • 2010 – Hope College
  • 2009 – University of Washington
  • 2008 – University of Wyoming
  • 2007 – University of Nebraska – Lincoln
  • 2006 – University of San Diego
  • 2005 – Oklahoma State University
  • 2004 – Kansas State University
  • 2003 – San Diego State University
  • 2002 – Purdue University

Freeman and Fox Most Improved Chapter

Encouraging chapters to honor tradition while embracing change was the inspiration that led the mother-daughter team of Dr. Mabel Freeman (The Ohio State University, 1965) and Dr. Kirsten Freeman Fox (Ohio State, 1996) to create the Freeman and Fox Chapter Revitalization Fund in the Mortar Board National Foundation. The fund supports chapters who are developing their programming and increasing their presence on campus. The Freeman and Fox Most Improved Chapter receives a monetary award from the endowment that Mabel and Kirsten created. The award is given annually.

Recipients

  • 2022 – University of Mississippi
  • 2021 – Case Western Reserve University
  • 2020 – University of California, Los Angeles and Chapman University
  • 2019 – Wichita State University
  • 2018 – Illinois State University
  • 2017 – Oklahoma Baptist University
  • 2016 – University of Mary Washington
  • 2015 – Beloit College
  • 2014 – Lawrence University
  • 2013 – Mississippi College and The University of South Dakota
  • 2012 – The University of Findlay and Louisiana State University
  • 2011 – University of South Carolina
  • 2010 – University of Utah
  • 2009 – Cornell College
  • 2008 – Drury University and Oklahoma Baptist University
  • 2007 – University of Colorado
  • 2006 – William Jewell College
  • 2005 – University of South Alabama
  • 2004 – Northern Arizona University
  • 2003 – Indiana State University
  • 2002 – Texas Tech University
  • 2001 – Westminster College

DEI&B Award

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belong (DEI&B) Awards was first awarded in 2022. The DEI&B award recognizes outstanding efforts/successes by chapters on projects and initiatives that focus on the tenets of diversity, equity, and inclusion  with an outcome of belonging. A chapter may apply or be nominated by their Section Coordinator; new this year – chapters apply on the Chapter Annual Report.

Recipients

2022

Purdue University – Purdue University Mortar Board’s 2022 Leadership Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Lyon College – Nacho Memorial Toys and Food Drive

Kansas State University – Strive as a chapter to be a beacon of inclusivity at K-State

Project Excellence Award

Project Excellence Awards recognize outstanding chapter projects with high member participation. Chapters must apply or be nominated to receive this award. In 2022, 8 chapters were recognized for 20 projects. A chapter may apply or be nominated by their Section Coordinator; new this year – chapters apply on the Chapter Annual Report.

2022 recipients

  • Kansas State University
    Student Org. Leadership Summit, Kansas Beats the Virus
  • Lyon College
    Student Creative Arts Research Forum, Earth Day Initiatives, Nacho Memorial Toys and Food Drive
  • The Ohio State University
    Reading is Leading
  • Purdue University
    Purdue Mortar Board Leadership Conference
  • San Diego State University
  • Philanthropy, Active/Alumni Involvement, Mortar Board Scholarships, 32nd Annual Faculty Staff Appreciation Dinner, SDSU Daily Planner and Calendar Sale 
  • University of San Diego
    Self-Care and Mental Health Social Events, STRIVE, Last Lecture Series, Faculty and Staff Appreciation, Carson STEAM Family Nights
  • University of South Alabama
    Top Peer, Top Prof, School Supplies Drive 
  • Texas Tech University
    Bark in the Park

2021 recipients

  • Carleton College
    Community Book Drive
  • Chapman University
    Read-a-Thon and Book Drive
  • Endicott College
    Beautiful Difference Initiative
  • Kansas State University
    Mortar Board Helpful Tips to Succeed in Online Classes
  • Lyon College
    SCARF during pandemic
    Pocket Hand Sanitizer Distribution
  • University of North Dakota
    Turkey Basket Drive
  • The Ohio State University
    Last Lecture Series with Vice President for Student Life Melissa Shivers
    Faculty and Staff Reception
  • University of San Diego
    Senior Celebration
    Fall and Spring Alumni Engagement Initiative
    Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Initiative
    Faculty Appreciation Dinner
    Linda Vista Engagement Initiative
  • San Diego State University
    Daily Planner and Calendar of Events
    31st Annual Faculty Staff Appreciation Event Mortar Board scholarships
    Active/Alumni Involvement
    CCMB Collaborative

Outstanding Achievement Award – New This Year!

This year, we challenged our chapters to think differently about success to focus on areas of achievement that exist outside of programmatic accomplishments. These awards highlight great strides made toward increasing chapter health and visibility on campus. Areas include recruitment & selection; officer/advisor transition, chapter reactivation, campus visibility, and chapter communications. Chapters apply on the Chapter Annual Report.

Gold Torch Award

The Gold Torch Award honors chapters that exemplify scholarship, leadership and service. They are dedicated to Mortar Board, its purpose and its Ideals. These chapters are active on their campus in ways that improve the quality of student life. In 2022, 13 chapters received the Gold Torch Award. A chapter may apply or be nominated by their Section Coordinator; new this year – chapters apply on the Chapter Annual Report.

2022 recipients

  • Section 3 – Mid-Atlantic
  • College of William and Mary
    Longwood University
  • Section 5 – Floribama
  • The University of Alabama
    University of South Alabama
  • Section 6 – South
  • Lyon College
    University of Mississippi
  • Section 8 – Southern Ohio
  • The Ohio State University
  • Section 9 – Northern Ohio
  • Ohio Northern University
  • Section 11 – Indiana
  • Purdue University
  • Section 12 – Illinois
  • Illinois State University
  • Section 14 – Northern Great Plains
  • University of North Dakota
  • Section 15 – Southern Great Plains
  • Kansas State University
  • Section 17 – Texas
  • Texas Tech University

2021 recipients

  • Section 4 – Southeast
    Agnes Scott College
    Lenoir-Rhyne University
    Salem College
  • Section 5 – Floribama
    The University of Alabama
    University of South Alabama
  • Section 6 – South
    Lyon College
  • Section 7 – Tennessee Valley
    University of Louisville
  • Section 8 – Southern Ohio
    The Ohio State University
  • Section 9 – Northern Ohio
    Case Western Reserve University
    Ohio Northern University
  • Section 11 – Indiana
    Purdue University
  • Section 12 – Illinois
    Illinois State University
  • Section 14 – Northern Great Plains
    The University of Nebraska – Lincoln
    University of North Dakota
  • Section 15 – Southern Great Plains
    Kansas State University
    University of Missouri – Columbia
  • Section 17 – Texas
    Texas Tech University
  • Section 18 – Southwest
    The University of New Mexico
  • Section 19 – Rocky Mountain
    University of Wyoming
  • Section 21 – West
    University of California, Los Angeles
    Chapman University
    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
    University of San Diego
    San Diego State University

Silver Torch Award

All chapters are able to achieve the Silver Torch. This award signifies the chapter met all standards.

2022 recipients

  • Section 2 – Pennsylvania
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Section 3 – Mid Atlantic
  • Hood College
  • Section 4 – Southeast
  • Agnes Scott College
    Salem College
  • Section 7 – Tennessee Valley
  • Rhodes College
  • Section 8 – Southern Ohio
    Ohio Wesleyan University
    Xavier University
  • Section 9 – Northern Ohio
  • The University of Toledo
  • Section 10 – Michigan
  • Hope College
  • Section 11 – Indiana
  • Ball State University
    Hanover College
  • Section 12 – Illinois
  • Augustana College
  • Section 13 – Upper Midwest
  • Lawrence University
    University of Minnesota, Duluth
  • Section 14 – Northern Great Plains
  • The University of Nebraska, Lincoln
    University of Nebraska at Kearney
    University of North Dakota
  • Section 15 – Southern Great Plains
  • Wichita State University
    William Jewell College
  • Section 17 – Texas
  • Southern Methodist University
    Texas Tech University
  • Section 18 – Southwest
  • The University of New Mexico
    University of Arizona
  • Section 19 – Rocky Mountain
  • University of Montana
  • Section 20 – Pacific Northwest
  • University of the Pacific
  • Section 21 – West
  • University of California, Los Angeles
    University of San Diego

2021 recipients

  • Section 1 – Northeast
    Western New England University
  • Section 2 – Pennsylvania
    Bucknell University
    Carnegie Mellon University
  • Section 3 – Mid Atlantic
    College of William and Mary
    Hood College
    Longwood University
    University of Mary Washington
    West Virginia University
  • Section 4 – Southeast
    Converse College
  • Section 5 – Floribama
    Florida State University
  • Section 6 – South
    Alcorn State University
    University of Mississippi
  • Section 7 – Tennessee Valley
    University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
    University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Section 8 – Southern Ohio
    Denison University
    University of Cincinnati
  • Section 10 – Michigan
    Adrian College
    Albion College
    Central Michigan University
    Hope College
  • Section 12 – Illinois
    Augustana College
  • Section 13 – Upper Midwest
    Beloit College
    Carleton College
    Lawrence University
  • Section 14 – Northern Great Plains
    The University of South Dakota
  • Section 15 – Southern Great Plains
    The University of Kansas
    William Jewell College
  • Section 16 – Central
    Oklahoma Baptist University
  • Section 17 – Texas
    Southern Methodist University
  • Section 19 – Rocky Mountain
    Colorado State University
  • Section 20 – Pacific Northwest
    University of Puget Sound
    University of the Pacific
    University of Washington

Excellence in Advising Award

The Excellence in Advising Awards are given to Mortar Board chapter advisors who have demonstrated a commitment to the purpose of Mortar Board and who have gone above and beyond in their work with a collegiate chapter.

Starlington Prize

The Starlington Prize for Extraordinary Mortar Board Membership is awarded each year to nominees who have proven that they understand the purpose of Mortar Board, are dedicated to their chapter and have internalized the true obligation of membership. Any member may nominate another member for this prize.